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Slide, Kelly, Slide
As the playoffs near and the competition increases, it's important for players and coaches to know one of the most important rules of slow-pitch softball: slide, or veer out of the way.

Unlike baseball in which a baserunner can go into a base standing up or sliding, national slow-pitch softball Rule 8 Section 8t states, in part: "When a defensive player has the ball and is waiting for the runner and the runner remains on his feet and deliberately, with great force, crashes into the defensive player, the runner is declared out."

If the act is flagrant, such as a deliberate collision, the baserunner is to be ejected.

The slide/no slide call is almost always controversial. Since everyone is going to see the outcome of a play differently, you can have an injury, fight or riot. If a punch is thrown, the Park or Montgomery County police can charge the perp with assault.

At Aspen Hill a few years ago, a situation broke out in which the runner's lawyer charged the offender $2,000, to go along with his fine (the lawyer said he was lucky the fine was only another $2,000).

That's why the umpire's warning is so important. If the offended party sees the umpire is stepping in, they often do not feel it necessary for them to reciprocate.